What advice is there to win a legitimate dispute with the city over a parking ticket? What to say in letter?

Question

I was parked overnight on a street in the city of Chicago. The street became a no-parking zone at 7am, therefore I was out to my car AT 7am to move it. According to both my watch and the clocks in my house and car clock it was 6:59. Yet I already had a $50 ticket waiting for me which stated the time as 7:04am.
How can they say that the policeman's watch was right over mine when it is only a matter of minutes? And, what proof can I show or need to in order to argue this?
This is mostly frustrating because I honestly believe that my watch was not slow but correct and that the ticket is unjust. I am a young working professional and $50 is still a significant amount of money to me.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and suggestions, I am eager to hear your responses.
Very Sincerely, K.

Answer 1

this is gonna be impossible to prove , the fact is your car was there around that time , and you arguement that it was only a matter of minutes will work both ways , you say 6;59 she says 7;04 , if you go in saying you were there at 6;59 that is like admiting guilt ......... you are gona lose time from work going to court and a letter is a laughable defense ....... just pay the cash and move the car at 6;30 next time

Answer 2

I've beat 11 out of 14 parking tickets here in NYC. Make sure ALL INFO on the ticket is filled out correctly. If your plate #, color, make, type of car, street address, anything is wrong, bring it to the Court's attention.

When you show up at the hearing, simply state your case. IN NYC, if the officer is a no show, then you will win....perhaps it is the same in Chicago. Explain the fact that your watch, your cars clock and other clocks on the street all said 7:00 when the ticket WAS ALREADY ON YOUR CAR. Other than that, if you are still found guilty, as for a payment plan....good luck

Answer 3

sorry, but no matter if your clock in your car is right or the house clocks, its whatever time that is shown on the watch/clock/timepiece that is used by the police officer who used the ticket.

there is no way to fight that time of ticket. and the fact that the ticket states that it was 7:04 am, how are you going to prove it wasn't? Was your clocks slow?

Pay the ticket, and next time, allow yourself at least 10 minutes before to move your car.

Answer 4

that's funny bc it happened to me too in Dallas though. fortunately the meter had a clock on it. i photoed it on my cell phone and presented that in court. my phone had a date stamp on the picture frame. the date stamp and the fact that i photoed the meter is not solid proof bc the pic didn't show whether a ticket was issued, but was ruled in my favor by giving me the benefit of the doubt bc the judge highly doubted that i hung out there 10 minutes before, left and then came right back to the car to find the ticket! your situation lacks solid proof i would say. good luck though.

Answer 5

Sounds like a good reason but I am sure the Administrative Law Judge has heard it before. Forget the letter. It's easy to turn down a letter. Go in person. Best result is the Judge will reduce it....maybe

Answer 6

I would call the city and find out how you can contest the ticket. I have done so in other cities and usually they will just let it slide. Don't get angry when at the hearing and just state your case. Worst case you have to pay the ticket. Best case they will eliminate the ticket. Best of luck.

Answer 7

I have even claimed that I saw the cop leave the ticket and I called out to move the car, but he did not hear me... It was dropped.

This city has a webpage where you print out a form to contest teh ticket in the mail... Worked for me

Answer 8

You might be able to appeal it, but only if the officer hearing it is nice about it. I think you have a chance. But don't just don't expect too much from it.